Best thing from last few matches is that we now seem to have 4 first team centre halves. Previously I was worried when Wharton had to play - now I think he should keep his place even when Williams and Ayala are available. My only caution is that he has yet to come across a really top forward line - but deserves his chance.

Not certain about Trybull - but you are right, it was pretty much the perfect performance. Kept waiting for them to balls it up - but it was the perfect team performance. Some will mention the sending off - but tbh (on the night) that was just a sign of our superiority. Dont often get matches like that - so will just enjoy for now.

Lol

The million dollar question.

I agree his end product can be missing - but when he drives at the opposition it creates space for other players. If he could get some end product we really would have some player.

No - was just wondering how we could play three at the back - and that was the only option given available players

It is nearly Christmas - so I wonder what was after eighths - sorry will get my coat ?

Not certain we have enough defenders for a back 3 - Nyambe could move to the centre - but who would play right back ?

Key midfield player - I was actually thinking Travis - but I suppose Holtby is up there. When Rothwell was injured - so was Travis and Holtby - players that would have given us the legs in midfield. IMO Travis is a huge loss - huge fan of what he brings to the team. Lenihan has been poor this season - and at the same time Ayala and Williams have been unavailable. Injury record - even as a Premiership club we had to take gambles on injury prone players - our finances are even worse now. Dack has been injured for 11 months - but replacing his goals isn't straightforward. Armstrong has helped in this respect - but replacing Dack would cost big money. I think we should be doing better with the players at our disposal - but also appreciate the unfortunate timing of some of the absentees. One good thing - I thought Wharton did well yesterday against a physical Luton. Lets hope he can continue against PNE who will be equally physical.

I agree that other teams also have issues - but with Rovers timing is everything - just when we start playing well, the players who are contributing most seem to become unavailable due to injury or Covid. How many other teams are also missing their key forward, midfield player and two first choice centre halfs ?

A bit harsh. IMO he is overated because we have a lack of quality at centre half - but is still a good player.

I think people need to consider that not everyone had access to the information that many of the protestors did, I think some protestors didn't appreciate that. Genuine question (ie not wind up) - but why is the club still here because of protests ? Personally IMO the reason we are still here is because the Venkys continue to pump in money, if they had listened to the protests it is more likely they would have thrown away their expensive toy. That isn't having a go at the protests, but with no real allegiance to the club - why bother with the hassle ?

Talk about witch hunt - I am sure he will have been interviewed about the NI match - hence the context for his response.

Fingers crossed - will all depend on how poorly he gets with it.

You have to laugh - all the different formations to accommodate Dack - and TM is accused of being the tinkerman ? How (and if) we accommodate Dack into the first team is likely to have a significant impact on the season. One thing is certain - having him as an option on the bench when after a goal is better than anything we currently have.

If he continues his rate of improvement at his lockdown rate he will be worth more than £20m - but personally can't see him doing that. Though at the very least - if his current form continues he will be starting to justify his fee. I think people underestimate his current impact - he must be a nightmare to play against now he can actually hold up the ball. For a big man his dribbling skill is excellent, and he is surprisingly quick as well. Also his cross field balls have become a feature of our play. Given a continued run in the team - and injury free run - I can see him getting 10 to 15 goals - especially as his confidence continues to improve.

Which ever way you cut it - his starting position tends to be wide left (usually on the touch line). He is asked to track back to support the left back. I think, at the moment, part of his success holding the ball, is that he is against smaller full backs. As he continues to improve and build up his strength - I would hope he could start to play more as a traditional centre forward. As things stand - he is becoming one of our key players - especially for our current style of play. For me, an example of his improvement was a cross field ball in the last match that he played behind Elliott and into touch. What struck me at that point - was how rare this had become - as I had come to expect these (relatively difficult) cross field balls to find their man.

So we played him right wing when we should have played him left wing ?

It isn't just about Covid symptoms - you also have to isolate if somebody you came into contact comes down with it.

You must have even more fingers than a dingle then ?

Whichever inspiring manager you are thinking of - get him in charge of the NHS, if he can sort out CoVid in the dressing room and ACL injuries.

OK - surely the great managers you quote didn't have to compete against teams with a data analysis team ? Ayala - sometimes you have to gamble (especially when money tight) - look at Santa Cruz ! Downing - who knows the background - but sounds to be money related.

Whether they should have finished the chance or not - there are lots of top class strikers who have missed similar chances. Its not like they missed numerous chances either. I seem to remember Armstrong (top scorer in Championship) missing similar chances. On the night I thought Brereton played the better of two out of sorts strikers - but the service they got was poor. It is noticeable that our Premiership loanee was largely anonymous. At the end of the day - they looked like a fully fit team on a good undefeated run. We looked like a team short of numerous first team players, without a win in some time. What pleased me personally was the fight being shown - which gives hope for the future.

Do you mean the header where Wharton was challenging him so he didn't get a clear header ?

No we weren't - our defensive display deserved a point. People moan we don't defend well enough - then when we do they moan.